One Day in Arches National Park: Exploring Unique Rock Formations
By Daniella from Sampler Platter Travel – this guide to Arches National Park contains affiliate links to trusted partners!
Only have one day in Arches National Park and want to know how to maximize your visit?
One day in the park may be short, but it gives you enough time to see the highlights. Of course, you won’t be able to visit all 2,000 natural arches, but you’ll see the famous ones!
My friends and I spent one day in Arches National Park during a trip to Utah and loved it. We thought we got a good sample of the park by doing one long hike and various shorter viewpoints.
In this national park itinerary, we will share how to get there, what to see, and where to stay.
While you could certainly spend more than one day in Arches National Park, Sampler Platter Travel is dedicated to fast itineraries helping you prioritize things to do if you only have a short amount of time.
Happy sampling!
Introduction to Arches National Park
Arches National Park is a wonderful area in Southeastern Utah near the town of Moab. It is famous for its natural stone formations of which there are over 2,000 documented arches.
It was established as a national park in 1970, spanning over 70,000 acres of unique desert landscape, boasting red rock, green trees, and striking blue skies.
Arches is one of 5 Utah national parks known as the Mighty Five.
Check out other blogs in our ‘One Day in a National Park’ series:
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Arches National Park
(1) Rock Formations
All right, at this point, I hope you know what Arches is famous for. If you don’t, you will soon learn about the spectacular rock formations that make up the park. Famously, there are over 2,000 in the park, which would be difficult to visit in a lifetime. If you’ve ever seen a Utah license plate before, you’ve most likely seen a photo of Delicate Arch.
(2) Hiking Trails
There is a wide range of different hiking trails in Arches National Park, which sounds both overwhelming and incredible. Whether you just want a short walk from the parking lot to an overlook or take on a more challenging hike, there is something for visitors of all skill levels.
(3) Wildlife
We certainly weren’t lucky enough to see much wildlife, but the park is home to bighorn sheep, deer, and tons of birds.
(4) Accessibility
I personally am a big fan of hiking, but one of the things I love about Arches is how accessible it is. Unlike some of our other parks that require hiking to see the most notable spots and landmarks, Arches is very accessible. If you just choose to drive through the park and stop at overlooks, you are sure to see many noteworthy arches.
(5) Adventurous Activities
On the other side of the spectrum, Arches is also home to many adventure activities such as rock climbing, canyoneering, and off-roading vehicles. If you are an adrenaline lover, you are sure to enjoy the park for these reasons.
Best Time to Visit Arches National Park
Spring brings in very mild temperatures ranging from around 60 to 80 °F. If you are a lover of flowers, this is also when the park’s flowers bloom. Spring brings in far fewer crowds compared to the summer, giving you a more peaceful visit. However, spring means unpredictable weather with occasional rainstorms and chilly nights.
Fall is similar to spring with cooler temperatures, fewer visitors, and nice foliage around the park.
Winter is when my friends and I visited, and we greatly enjoyed it. Even though it was cold, there wasn’t any snow coverage, and we loved the lack of crowds. In the winter, you of course have less daylight, so it’s important to plan your trip accordingly.
Summer is undoubtedly the most popular time to visit any national park thanks to a plethora of vacation time. However, temperatures can get incredibly hot in southern Utah, and since it is peak tourism season, you may run into a few crowded trails and campsites.
Top Pick: visit in the shoulder months of spring or fall for a perfect balance of great weather, good crowds, and wonderful natural beauty. During the shoulder months, you won’t have to pack anything thicker than a light coat, as the cool temperatures make hiking more enjoyable.
Getting to Arches National Park
Three main airports make it easy to visit Arches National Park:
Salt Lake City International Airport is in the state of Utah, approximately 4 hours northwest of the park. The drive is relatively easy, although there are a few mountain passes that can get tricky at night. It makes for a good road trip.
The second option is to drive a little bit farther by flying into Denver International Airport in Colorado, which may have slightly cheaper flights. However, this airport is 5.5 hours east of Arches National Park and is certainly a bit of a hike.
Finally, you can fly into Canyonlands Field Airport, 18 miles from the city of Moab. While it is closer to the park, it has limited regional flights and can be quite expensive.
Regardless of your choice of airport, we highly recommend renting a car. Once you’re in the park itself, you’re going to need a trusty set of wheels to get to the different overlooks and hiking trails.
Arches National Park Entrance Fee
| Pass | Price |
| Standard | 15-30 |
| Annual | 55 |
| America the Beautiful (including Senior) | Free-$80 |
Due to high volumes of visitors, you will need a timed entry pass from April 1st through October 31st.
7 Best Arches in Arches National Park
Usually in my series of One Day in National Parks, this is the section where I go into the 7 best things to do in X park. However, because items 1-7 would all be hiking, and there are so many arches to choose from, this section is dedicated to the 7 best arches to visit during one day in Arches National Park.
(1) Delicate Arch
You have most certainly seen this arch in photos and the Utah license plate. It is gorgeous in photos and even prettier in person. Delicate Arch can be viewed from a parking lot overlook, or you can go on a relatively mild 3-mile (4.8 km) roundtrip hike to reach the base of the arch.
(2) Landscape Arch
Landscape Arch is one of the longest natural arches in the world and is located in the Devil’s Garden area of the park. We loved the Devil’s Garden hike, which is certainly challenging but takes you to various arches along different terrains (rocky, sandy, etc).
(3) Double Arch
Double Arch is technically two arches that share a common end, and it was featured in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade!
(4) The Windows
North Window and South Window, collectively known as The Windows, are two massive arches that are located side by side. It is easy to access via a short loop trail.
(5) Turret Arch
In the same area as The Windows, this cool rock formation is shaped like a turret, and if you’re interested in viewing sunrise at the park, this is the place to do so.
(6) Balanced Rock
We’re going to cheat here because Balanced Rock is technically not an arch, but it is a very significant feature in the park. The big boulder is perched on a narrow rock, making it a fascinating landmark to admire.
(7) Fiery Furnace
The Fiery Furnace area is a labyrinth of narrow passages and rock formations known for a bunch of smaller hidden arches such as Surprise Arch. Keep in mind that you need a permit or a guided tour to explore this area due to unsafe conditions.
Arches National Park Map
Top 10 Hiking Trails in Arches National Park
(1) Delicate Arch Trail
- Length: 3 miles round trip (4.8 km)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Highlights: Stunning views of Delicate Arch, panoramic vistas of the park, and petroglyphs. If you’ve ever wanted to get up close and personal to Delicate Arch, this is the place to do it. You can get right onto the base itself!
(2) Devil’s Garden Trail
- Length: 7.2 mile loop (11.5 km)
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Highlights: Landscape Arch, Navajo Arch, Partition Arch, and Double O Arch, with options for shorter hikes.
This is the trail that we opted for, but do keep in mind that once you are finished with Devil’s Garden you might not want to do another hike!
We started with Devil’s Garden and realized we did not have the energy to do the Delicate Arch Trail. Either start early in the morning and give yourself enough time to recover, or choose this trail instead of the Delicate Arch Trail.
(3) The Windows Loop and Turret Arch Trail
- Length: 1 mile round trip (1.6 km)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Highlights: North Window, South Window, and Turret Arch, ideal for sunrise or sunset. This trail is not really a hike and is more of a stopover, but it’s really beautiful to see the little area with The Windows and the Turret Arch.
(4) Double Arch Trail
- Length: 0.5 miles round trip (0.8 km)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Highlights: The Double Arch Trail is a super quick and easy sloping trail where you can see the Double Arch featured in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.
(5) Park Avenue Trail
- Length: 2 miles round trip (3.2 km)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Highlights: This super cool trail follows the bottom of a canyon, where you can look up at the park’s racks. Check out the famous landmarks of Queen Nefertiti, Queen Victoria, the Organ, and the Tower of Babel.
(6) Balanced Rock Trail
- Length: 0.3 miles round trip (0.48 km)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Highlights: Close-up views of Balanced Rock, accessible and great for a quick stop.
(7) Fiery Furnace Trail
- Length: Variable
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Highlights: Maze-like canyons and hidden arches. Requires a permit or guided tour due to its complexity.
(8) Sand Dune Arch Trail
- Length: 0.3 miles round trip (0.48 km)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Highlights: A fun, sandy walk to a secluded arch.
(9) Skyline Arch Trail
- Length: 0.4 miles round trip (0.64 km)
- Difficulty: Easy
- Highlights: A short, easy hike to a picturesque arch that is particularly stunning at sunset.
(10) Broken Arch Loop
- Length: 2 miles round trip (3.2 km)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Highlights: Scenic loop passing through Broken Arch, offering an incredible look at a unique landscape with fewer crowds.
What Should You Bring for One Day in Arches National Park?
- Snacks and Water – national parks are notorious for not being the greatest sources of food. If you want a meal or a couple of snacks, make sure to eat before you begin your trip or pack a few snacks. Of course, water is a no-brainer!
- Sun Protection– no matter the sun coverage, it is so important to stay protected against UV rays. Bring all forms of sun protection including UV shirts, hats, sunscreen, and more.
- Rain Gear – Arches isn’t known for much rain, although storms can occur during the spring. Ditch the umbrella, as these can be notoriously difficult to hike with, and bring a light rain jacket instead.
- Comfortable Hiking Shoes– hiking in Arches National Park can be done in trail runner shoes. For extra support, especially if doing the Devil’s Garden Trail, consider bringing some poles. They are certainly not required but the terrain can get super uneven at times.
Camping in Arches National Park
There is only one campground located within the grounds of Arches National Park: Devil’s Garden.
It has water, picnic tables, grills, flush toilets, and is home to 51 individual sites and 2 larger group sites.
Reservations are required from March 1st to October 31st during peak season and are available up to six months in advance. It is on a first come first serve basis for the rest of the year.
The Devil’s Garden campground starts at $20 per night but can reach well over $250 depending on the site and time of year. Find availability here.
Where to Stay for One Day in Arches National Park
The best place to stay when visiting Arches National Park is Moab, the city located at the park’s entrance. We did it as a day trip from Salt Lake City, and it was definitely quite the trek. We recommend staying close so you can maximize your time in the park before having to drive back.
| Price | Name | Benefits |
| Budget | Red Stone Inn (8.0 stars on Booking.com) | 13 minutes from the entrance of the park2-star inn with clean budget roomsGood facilities for laundry and spa |
| Mid-Range | Element Moab (8.9 stars on Booking.com) | 9 minutes from the entrance of the park3-star modern hotel with pool, gym, and barRestaurant serves various cuisines |
| Luxury | Sunflower Hill Inn (9.6 stars on Booking.com) | 13 minutes from the entrance of the parkOutdoor pool and barbecue facilities availableQuaint B&B style with spa center |
FAQs About One Day in Arches National Park
Can you do Arches National Park in one day?
Yes, one day is enough for Arches National Park, although you will have to prioritize which of the 2,000 arches you’d like to see.
Arches National Park has tons of trails of varying levels of difficulty, and while you can’t do them all in one day, you can certainly prioritize 1 long hike or a bunch of shorter ones.
How long does it take to drive the scenic drive in Arches National Park?
It can take quite a long time to drive the scenic drive in Arches, especially depending on how many times you want to stop along the way.
To see some of the park’s largest arches such as The Windows, allocate around 1.5 hours. If you want to drive the whole park and stop at many of the viewpoints along the way, dedicate 3 hours to this. Of course, this is just the drive and does not include hiking time.
How many days do you need in Arches National Park?
Arches National Park can be done in a day if you just want to drive through it and do a few of the hikes.
However, if you want to spend a lot more time seeing the famous arches, we recommend at least taking the full weekend to explore the park itself. Having more time allows for buffer room for travel.
How long does it take to drive through Arches National Park?
Yes, Arches is a very unique national park as it is accessible to all. If you aren’t interested or can’t hike, there are many opportunities to get out of the car for a quick photo. Tons of arches are viewable from the road without needing to hike.
We hope you enjoyed this itinerary for one day in Arches National Park! Whether you want to take it easy and drive around the overlooks, take a challenging hike, or see as many of the 2,000 natural arches as possible, there’s something for everyone in this incredibly unique park.
Don’t forget to check out other destinations in North America.
Happy sampling!